Thermostat Is Set Incorrectly
When you notice your home getting a little hotter than normal, first check the thermostat settings. Be sure it is set to cool. If the thermostat is set to cool, check the temperature setting to be sure someone hasnt changed it. If it is off, set to heat, or set for constant fan , switch it back to cooling operation. After the system kicks on, wait a few minutes, then check for cold air blowing from the registers. If its cold, problem solved! If not, move on to the next troubleshooting tip checking the air filter.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Working
If your air conditioner is not working, it can be caused by a variety of reasons. Common reasons include dirty or blocked air filters. In other cases, there can be issues with your compressor or refrigerant. This can lead to your ac not blowing air, not turning on, or it just doesnt seem to be working properly.
Consider the following before calling in for an AC repair:
The Outdoor Condenser Unit Is Blocked
Careless outdoor landscaping and/or neglect of lawn care may be another reason that your house is so hot.
“Shrubs and other plant life can obstruct airflow to the , which relies on it for proper operation,” says Dietz of the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute.
If the condenser coil is covered with dirt or leaves, the heat transfer is impeded and the unit has to work a lot harder to do any cooling, leading to possible system failure .
“Homeowners should take care to ensure a decent-sized berth around and on top of their outdoor unit and also periodically use a garden hose , to remove dirt and debris that might be caught in the unit’s fins,” says Dietz. “Lawn clippings and dirt kicked up by heavy rainfall are common culprits here.”
Consumer Reports recommends allowing 2 to 3 feet of space between the unit and any plants or backyard structures, and 5 feet between the top of the unit and any trees that hang over it.
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Air Conditioner Fan Not Working Inside
If your AC indoor fan isnt working, first check to make sure a breaker hasnt been tripped. If all is OK, check your air filter. If its blocked, then you may be able to fix it yourself. If theres ice on the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines, allow the ice to melt, then check again to see if the fan is working. If it isnt working, that might have caused your coil to freeze. A frozen coil requires a service call, because your technician may need to replace the contacts inside the fan relay, the fan belt, or the even the motor itself.
Central Ac Not Working We Can Help
This article covers some of the most common AC problems and how to troubleshoot them. Some repairs are easy, which means you can perform them yourself and return to cool, comfortable living.
Other AC issues need professional intervention. When in doubt, dont try to repair serious issues yourself.
You can also prevent the need for AC troubleshooting by performing routine maintenance.
Central AC not working? Dont panic!
Just call the professionals at Service Champions and well get your system back up and running in no time. We serve East Bay, South Bay and the Sacramento areas and have locations in Pleasanton, Livermore, Rocklin, San Jose, and Concord.
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Check Furnace & A/c Shut Off Switch
If your air conditioner does not turn on, the power supply to your indoor A/C unit and furnace may be the problemthe furnace switch powers on and off the indoor part of your HVAC system. Make sure to check the furnace switch to see if it’s in the “on” position. If it’s not, turn it on and see if your air conditioner starts working. Since the switch looks like a light switch, people often accidentally turn it off.
Have a Local HVAC professional Fix Your AC
No : You Have An Electrical Problem
There are several things that can cause electrical problems for your cars air conditioning. These can include failed switches, a blown fuse, a problem with the control module or something else. Fuses can short out and make the A/C stop working or a loose connection can create an electrical short that is easily fixed.
While electrical issues in the air conditioning system are often easy to fix, they need to be addressed immediately, since they can cause acid buildup. Acid buildup can cause serious damage to your vehicle and can even lead to needing to replace the entire air conditioning system. Staying on top of problems will keep this from happening.
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Basic Troubleshooting Steps When Your Ac Stopped Working
A homeowner shouldn’t fix most AC issues, especially more complicated parts like the evaporator coil and AC compressor. Instead, they should call in the professionals like A.B. May. You could do more harm than good by trying to fix it yourself. However, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps below you can try before scheduling an appointment with us. Sometimes a simple solution can get your AC cooling again.
1. Change the Air Filter
Changing the air filter for your central AC should be on everyone’s to-do list. Read your manufacturer guidelines to determine the best time to swap out the air filter. It may be every month for others, it may be every two to three months. Use the appropriate air filter for your air conditioner to get the best airflow through the unit. Replacing your air filter regularly will also improve your indoor air quality, strengthen the airflow of your air conditioning system, and may even prevent the need for an air purifier.
2. Swap Out the Thermostat Batteries
Depending on the issue, replacing the thermostat batteries may help get your AC unit back up and running again. It’s a quick and easy troubleshooting step for most homeowners. While the batteries in a thermostat should last a while, you never know if they’re almost dying and causing an issue with sending the right information to your unit.
3. Check for Blocked Vents, Registers, and Condenser Issues
Dirty Leaking Or Clogged Air Ducts
Your central air conditioner sends refreshing, cool air through ducts to reach every room of your house. These ducts pull warm air from the house and carry it to your AC unit for treatment and cooling. If those ducts are dirty, clogged, or have a leak, air cant travel freely.
Some homeowners dont realize that tears and other obstructions can enter the AC ductwork. While most central air systems are sealed, rodents can make holes in the ductwork. Shoddy installation is another common culprit.
Holes or tears in the ductwork allow warm air to escape and release into your house. Thats why the first sign that theres an issue with your AC ducts is uneven cooling.
Is one or more room in your house warmer than the others? This is a telltale sign of improper airflow.
Another sign that you may have damage to the air ducts is an increased electric bill. If your unit is working overtime to cool air thats escaping through holes in the system, youll notice a spike in your electric bill.
Leaky air ducts can cause the same types of issues. Youll need to inspect the air ducts to determine the level of damage.
When in doubt, call in the professionals to do a thorough inspection for you.
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Replace The Start/run Capacitor
All air conditioning service units have at least one capacitor. The capacitor stores electricity and releases it during compressor and condenser fan startup to give both motors an extra jolt of power. And it smooths out voltage fluctuations to protect the compressor and condenser fan motor from damage.
Capacitors can degrade slowly, providing less startup power over time. Or they can fail in an instant. Gradual capacitor failure can go unnoticed for a long time, stressing the compressor and condenser fan motor windings, resulting in their early failure. Since capacitors are cheap, it pays to proactively replace yours about every five years.
Take A Look At The Outdoor Condenser
If your AC is running but its not blowing out enough cool air, its time to go outside and take a look at your condenser. Sometimes the condenser gets dirty and/or blocked by pollen, weeds, grass, etc. In this case, clear out anything that may be in the way. We recommend a minimum of 3 feet of clearance for optimum airflow. Let your AC run for a few hours and see if the airflow improves. If not, you may want to consider giving our service team a call.
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Air Conditioning Unit Is Suddenly Noisy
Most air conditioners make at least some noise when they are running, which is normal. If you are hearing vibrations or loud rattling noises, something could be wrong. This is definitely reason to have the AC unit checked by a professional.
Sometimes people report squealing sounds when their air conditioner is running. This may actually be coming from your air handler, the part of the ac system that regulates and directs air through the ductwork. Most new air handlers have direct-drive motors, but older units may be belt driven. The squeaking noise sometimes occurs when the belt connecting the blower to the motor slips. If you suspect this is the case, turn off your ac unit and call a professional to get proper diagnosis and repairs.
Ac Air Handler Doesnt Run
If the air handler doesnt run at all, it may not be receiving power. Check its circuit breaker, and any switch that controls it at the air handler or furnace cabinet.
Then check the door switcha small switch inside the metal door that prevents the appliance from running when the cabinet is open.
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Plan Ahead To Stay Cool This Summer
Unlike many of the systems in todays cars, there arent any warning lights that will alert you to problems with your air conditioning system. Since you dont want to wait until a problem occurs, and all too often those problems pop up at the most inconvenient times, its a good idea to take your car in before the hot weather arrives and make sure that the hoses and fans are in good working order, no leaks are evident and your refrigerant levels are good.
Taking the time to have your air conditioning checked before summer gets underway, or as soon as you notice a problem, can save you a lot of grief, time and money. And it will also help you keep your cool all summer long.
Air Conditioner Not Cooling Enough
Check your vents to make sure all of them are open. If even one of them is closed, it can make it more difficult to cool your entire home, since the warm air from the room with the closed vent will mix with the cooled air from the others. Otherwise, you may have another problem, such as a leak in your refrigerant line. If your system is old or was installed improperly, it may be wearing out or is the wrong size for your home. Systems that are too large for your home will cycle on and off too quickly, reducing their efficiency. A system thats too small for your home will work harder to cool your home, leading to premature breakdown.
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Why Does My Car Ac Suddenly Started Blowing Hot Air
A car A/C blowing hot air is often the result of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is a liquid that circulates through your cars A/C system, expanding and contracting as it removes heat and humidity from the cabin. None of the other A/C components will function correctly without proper refrigerant levels.
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Energy Saving Program Explains Why Ac Is Not Turning On
If you have an energy program, for example in Maryland there is a BGE Smart Energy Savers Program, homeowners can enroll in order to receive a discount on their energy bills. However, many do not realize that participation in this program allows for their HVAC system to be turned off during peak electrical times. Therefore, AC not turning on could result from participating in an energy savings program. If you think this may be the case for you, wait to see if your AC turns on the next day.
Thorough & Efficient AC Repair
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What Happens If My Home Thermostat Is Not Working
If your central air isnt working, the first thing you should check is your thermostat. Your thermostat tells your system what to do, but it cant control anything if its been accidentally turned off. Double-checking that the switch is in the on rather than off position can save you a lot of grief and money on a service call.
If the switch is on and your thermostat is programmable, the issue may lie with its batteries. When replacing spent batteries, make sure you follow the instructions in the manual. Putting the batteries in incorrectly can also cause the thermostat to malfunction.
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Central Ac Not Working Heres How To Troubleshoot Your Ac Unit
Warmer weather is right around the corner in California, which means youll be running your air conditioner 24/7.
Theres no worse feeling than switching on your AC unit only to hear an awful sound or no sound at all! Is your central AC not working?
Before you call in the professionals, there are a few troubleshooting tricks you can try .
Keep reading to learn tips and tricks for troubleshooting your AC unit so you can enjoy a cool and comfortable summer.
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Reasons Why Your Car Ac Is Not Working And How To Fix It
Having a non-working AC in the middle of the summer can be pretty frustrating, but also expensive. Here are some pointers that can help you identify why your car AC is not working, and how you can fix them:
Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Working 10 Possible Reasons
Even the best air conditioners can have issues. Waiting in a hothouse for a professional to come and fix your AC isnt anyones ideal option. Fortunately, our troubleshooting guide can help you know how to identify some common air conditioner issues. There is a difference between your AC not working and not cooling and we help you sort the two with the goal of getting your AC pumping out sweet cool air quickly.
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Central Air Unit Not Working Call Us
If youve exhausted every do-it-yourself trick in the book and your central air unit is still not working, give our team at Ambient Edge a call. We proudly offer our customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Plus, our emergency services are there for you whenever and wherever you need us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can set up a service call by using the contact form on our website, or if its an emergency, you can give us a call. We look forward to getting you back up and running in no time!
What Causes The Capacitor To Fail
Your ACs capacitor is sensitive to heat. Overheating can be caused by your AC working hard to achieve the desired temperature or due to its exposure to the sun. If your outside unit is installed on the roof, it will likely become a victim of overheating on hot summer days.
During extreme cold or hot days, avoid setting the highest/lowest temperature on your thermostat as it can also cause the unit to work harder, resulting in an overheated capacitor.
Power outages and power fluctuations can also significantly damage the capacitor. To prevent damage from power fluctuations, consider installing a surge protector.
Furthermore, old age can cause it to die down as the capacitors ability to release energy decreases over the years.
As far as the age is concerned, regular maintenance will help you detect capacitor problems early. The solution is quite simple have an electrician replace the capacitor.
Note: Never try to replace the capacitor yourself as there is an electrical charge stored in it there is a risk of severe electric shock. Never try to run your AC on a bad capacitor as it can burn the motor attached to it, and replacing the motor can be quite costly.
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Top 7 Causes Of Air Conditioner Problems:
1. Low refrigerant. The refrigerant is the stuff that your air conditioner uses to remove the heat and humidity from the air in your home or business. If your system develops leaks in the refrigerant lines, you can end up with not enough refrigerant to effectively cool the air. Unfortunately, fixing this air conditioner problem correctly is not just a matter of replacing the refrigerant. An HVAC repair technician needs to find the leaks and repair the holes in the lines, which can sometimes be a time-consuming and expensive process, especially when there are multiple leaks.
2. Frozen evaporator coils. Your air conditioners evaporator coil is filled with refrigerant, and is responsible for absorbing the heat from the air like a sponge. It may sound counter-intuitive, but those coils need warm air circulating around them to work properly. When something goes wrong with the airflow and the evaporator coil gets too cold, a layer of ice can build up on the outside. When that happens, youll get warm air or none at all coming from your air conditioning supply registers.
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